Ahoy virtual mechanics and yacht lovers!
As you now know, Yacht Mechanic Simulator is due next year. However, aside from some necessary polishing and the new features we want to add, the game is mostly finished. This devlog will go more in-depth into what is ready and what is still planned before the release.
Large yachts in testing
First and foremost, all yachts are finished and playable. Instead of implementing a larger number of small yachts, we decided to put more emphasis on making a few larger vessels, arriving at a total of nine different ships. Of course, every yacht has a lot of differents elements to change or fix. Thanks to the random nature of contracts that the player can take, there is a ton of variety, especially on the bigger vessels.
Moreover, there is a functional tutorial as well as a simple campaign mode. In the campaign, the player progressively unlocks more yachts to work on, as they amass more funds. Transition to a higher tier (with bigger and more expensive yachts) requires payments to a bank, which depend on the progress a player has made. After finishing the campaign, there is also a free mode, where you can do whatever you want. Just don't go bankrupt ;)
In terms of added gameplay elements, again, all of the essentials are ready. If you test a ship on the open waters and crash it into some rocks, you will have to fix a hole you made. Sometimes, clients can also request similar repairs. These take multiple steps to complete before the hull is properly fixed.
The final step in fixing a damaged hull
But there are some gameplay elements that were requested by players and testers alike. We acknowledge that additional features will make the game more enjoyable and we are in the process of picking the ones that will be added in the next few months. We almost finished picking them but there are a few that we are still deliberating on.
One of them is the ability to fix broken parts. Right now, if you find a damaged element on one of the ships, you have to remove it, purchase a new one, and install it. However, many players and testers suggested the addition of a mode that lets you fix any broken parts. This would create a lot of new possibilities. For instance, you could fix a broken element instead of purchasing a replacement. Or you could purchase used parts from the store, fix them, and use install them as new additions to a yacht for some extra money.
Another highly requested feature is a sonar that helps you find things to fix or clean. The way it would work is simple - when the player presses a button, everything that needs their attention is highlighted for a moment, even when it's behind a wall or furniture. This feature could make it easier to figure out what you need to do. A lot of first time players ask for such addition. The truth is, people unaccustomed to yacht repairs sometimes have a hard time finding broken parts, especially on larger yachts. We already have an outline that informs the player if something is damaged or not. But adding a sonar to guide people through the many rooms on bigger yachts could be a big quality of life improvement.
New shop UI that lets you find matching items easily
We want to hear your input! What do you think about the two features described above? Do you believe that they could have a big impact on your experience? Or perhaps there is something else that you really, really wish was added? Please let us know in the comments!
If you have any additional questions regarding the state of the game or our plans, drop them in the comments or on our Discord server and we'll do our best to answer them!
Best regards,
Image Power team
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1263620/Yacht_Mechanic_Simulator